While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Wolfgang Depner.
VICTORIA -- After a messy and confusing endgame, John Rustad's leadership of the Conservative Party of B.C. is finally over — but the battle over the ideological direction of the party that he took to the brink of power may be entering a new phase.
The B.C. Conservative Party announced that John Rustad was "removed" as leader of the Opposition on Wednesday and a caucus vote had installed Trevor Halford as interim leader after 20 MLAs representing a caucus majority said they had lost confidence in Rustad and wanted him out. But if Rustad's opponents thought that was the end of the matter they were...
VICTORIA -- The B.C. Conservative Party announced that John Rustad was "removed" as leader of the Opposition on Wednesday and a caucus vote had installed Trevor Halford as interim leader after 20 MLAs representing a caucus majority said they had lost confidence in Rustad and wanted him out.
The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been "removed" as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader. The announcement comes after 20 MLAs representing a majority of Rustad's caucus said they had lost confidence in him and wanted him out, but he refused to resign and said there was no...
VICTORIA -- The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been "removed" as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader.
The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been "removed" as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader.
VICTORIA -- The B.C. New Democrat government has survived a confidence vote over its changes to the Mental Health Act that reduce the legal exposure of health care workers who deliver involuntary care to patients.
VICTORIA -- Rules are being tightened for British Columbia's overdose-prevention safe supply program to require a witness when a user takes their drugs in an effort to stop the pills from being sold on the streets.
The president of the Coastal First Nations in British Columbia says the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on an proposed oil pipeline to the West Coast "does nothing" to increase the chances it will happen. Marilyn Slett says in a statement that a tanker ban on the north coast...
VICTORIA -- A report commissioned by British Columbia's government says its pursuit of new natural gas projects "threatens to set back progress" reducing greenhouse emissions, with B.C. set to fail its 2030 target.
VICTORIA -- For a project he says "doesn't actually exist," there was a lot British Columbia Premier David Eby had to say about a potential pipeline from Alberta to B.C.'s northern coast, in a phone call with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday.
VICTORIA -- Legislation to fast-track construction of a northern power line has squeaked through the British Columbia legislature thanks to the speaker's deciding vote, after Premier David Eby staked his government on the bill.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia has abandoned a rebate program for electric vehicles that it paused six months ago and is scrapping a mandate that every new vehicle sold in the province must be zero-emission by 2035, as Energy Minister Adrian Dix shifted goal-setting, cash incentives and blame for high electric-vehicle prices to Ottawa.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's energy minister says the province will reduce targets for electric-vehicle sales, scrapping a mandate that every new vehicle sold in the province must be zero-emission by 2035, while announcing any rebates for electric-vehicle buyers will be a federal responsibility.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's energy minister says the province will reduce targets for electric vehicle sales, effectively scrapping plans mandating that every new vehicle sold in the province must be zero-emission by 2035.
- Almost 83 per cent of delegates attending a convention of British Columbia's New Democrats signalled their support for Premier David Eby by not asking for a leadership review. Of the 740 delegates who cast ballots, 609 opted against calling for a review of Eby's leadership. The announcement of the vote comes after Eby used his appearance at the convention...
VICTORIA -- Almost 83 per cent of delegates attending a convention of British Columbia's New Democrats signalled their support for Premier David Eby by not asking for a leadership review.
British Columbia Premier David Eby says the province finds itself at a "pivot point" between an "old order that is fading" and a "new one that has yet to be defined." Eby, who is speaking to delegates at the convention of British Columbia's New Democrats in Victoria, says British Columbia has everything it needs to build a "stronger, more secure...
VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier David Eby says the province finds itself at a "pivot point" between an "old order that is fading" and a "new one that has yet to be defined."
Delegates attending the convention of British Columbia's New Democrats have called on their own government to build ferries in Canada and "prioritize" shipyards in B.C. The appeal comes in form of a resolution backed by the BC Federation of Labour and BC Building Trade among others, and follows BC Ferries' decision to contract a shipyard owned by China's communist government...
VICTORIA -- Delegates attending the convention of British Columbia's New Democrats have called on their own government to build ferries in Canada and "prioritize" shipyards in B.C.
Members of British Columbia's New Democrats are meeting this weekend in Victoria with a mandatory leadership review for Premier David Eby and as many as 400 resolutions for delegates to consider. Eby says he's looking forward to the convention to celebrate with friends he hasn't seen in a long time, but he expects to hear directly from people about how...
VICTORIA -- Members of British Columbia's New Democrats are meeting this weekend in Victoria with a mandatory leadership review for Premier David Eby and as many as 400 resolutions for delegates to consider.
British Columbia Premier David Eby received approval from more than 93 per cent of delegates at the NDP's convention two years ago, and he's hoping for another "healthy majority" at this weekend's convention in Victoria. But since 2023, the NDP eked out a majority with just one seat to spare in last year's provincial election, and Eby's government has been...
VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier David Eby received approval from more than 93 per cent of delegates at the NDP's convention two years ago, and he's hoping for another "healthy majority" at this weekend's convention in Victoria.
A group of riding executives and former candidates with the Conservative Party of B.C. have become the latest voices to call for an end to John Rustad's leadership, writing to the party's legislators to urge them to oust him. Corey Brooks, president of the riding association for Burnaby-North, says in an interview the party will "continue bleeding" support and won't...
VICTORIA -- A group of riding executives and former candidates with the Conservative Party of B.C. have become the latest voices to call for an end to John Rustad's leadership, writing to the party's legislators to urge them to oust him.
VICTORIA -- The mayor of a community in B.C.'s Cariboo region says U.S. tariffs on the softwood lumber industry "are the icing on the cake" for an industry in need of fundamental reforms as it prepares for the closure of a local lumber bill.
VICTORIA -- The mayor of a community in B.C.'s Cariboo region says U.S. tariffs on the softwood lumber industry "are the icing on the cake" for an industry in need of fundamental reforms as it prepares for the closure of a local lumber bill.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's finance minister says she thinks today's federal budget aligns with provincial priorities, but is calling on Ottawa to follow through on supporting forestry and the North Coast Transmission Line.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said she would look into a plan by BC Assessment that would cut the taxable value of pipelines and other projects in a move that has angered some local officials who fear a funding shortfall.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says she'll look into a plan by BC Assessment that would cut the taxable value of pipeline and other projects in a move that has angered some local officials.
VICTORIA -- B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan says Premier David Eby's threat of an early election if a bill to fast-track a multibillion-dollar northern power line fails is a "cheap trick" that would leave British Columbians "incredibly disgruntled" if it eventuates.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier David Eby says he will stake his government on the passage of the bill to fast-track construction of the North Coast Transmission Line to power future resource projects in northwestern B.C.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says the provincial government's argument in the landmark Cowichan Tribes land case was that Aboriginal and fee-simple title "cannot co-exist" on the same land in their full form.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia Premier David Eby says his government is not done yet advocating for the family of Kelowna woman Bailey McCourt, whose ex-husband has been charged with murdering her hours after he was released on bail in July.
VICTORIA -- A bill in British Columbia's legislature to prevent publicly funded employees from making Indigenous land acknowledgements failed to pass first reading, but reveals a schism between provincial Conservative members.
VICTORIA -- Almost one year ago to the day, John Rustad was on the brink of becoming premier of British Columbia.
VICTORIA -- Almost one year ago to the day, John Rustad was on the brink of becoming premier of British Columbia.
Almost one year ago to the day, John Rustad was on the brink of becoming premier of British Columbia. Now, even his own handpicked party executives do not want him as their leader. Party president Aisha Estey and other members of the Conservatives' management committee have told Rustad to quit over "chaos" in the official Opposition ranks that has seen...
VICTORIA -- Legislator Amelia Boultbee has quit the British Columbia Conservative caucus and is calling on leader John Rustad to resign, saying he told her to "get the F out."
Legislator Amelia Boultbee has quit the British Columbia Conservative caucus and is calling on leader John Rustad to resign, saying he told her to "get the F out." Boultbee is the fifth MLA to exit the caucus over differences with Rustad, who responded by saying he had concerns "with regards to Amelia's health" and state of mind. But the legislator...
VICTORIA -- Legislator Amelia Boultbee has quit the British Columbia Conservative caucus and is calling on leader John Rustad to resign, saying he told her to "get the F out."
VICTORIA -- Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West says community pressure is responsible for the provincial government's decision to speed up the reconstruction of an elementary school destroyed by fire almost two years ago.
VICTORIA -- Coquitlam Mayor Brad West says community pressure is responsible for the provincial government's decision to speed up the reconstruction of an elementary school destroyed by fire almost two years ago.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says it is "unacceptable" that Ottawa always steps up when it comes to supporting key sectors in Ontario and Quebec, but "continues to drop the ball" when it comes to supporting B.C. forestry. Parmar's comments come after federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu announced Friday that Ottawa will contribute $12 million toward a $29-million package to help...
VICTORIA -- Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says it is "unacceptable" that Ottawa always steps up when it comes to supporting key sectors in Ontario and Quebec, but "continues to drop the ball" when it comes to supporting B.C. forestry.
VICTORIA -- Lifting the oil tanker ban off British Columbia's North Coast for a nonexistent pipeline from Alberta would endanger billions in other real investments that Premier David Eby says will need the support of coastal First Nations.
VICTORIA -- The president of the group representing local governments in British Columbia says she welcomes proposed changes that would make it easier for First Nations and municipalities to meet behind closed doors.
VICTORIA -- The president of the group representing local governments in British Columbia welcomes proposed changes that would make it easier for First Nations and municipalities to meet behind closed doors.
British Columbia's Opposition Leader John Rustad confirms the cellphones of Conservative members were searched during a meeting this week to find a leak from inside his caucus. Rustad says the phones were searched by other members to "make sure that there was nothing that had gone out that was inappropriate."
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's Opposition Leader John Rustad confirms the cellphones of Conservative members were searched during a meeting this week to find a leak from inside his caucus.
VICTORIA -- The British Columbia government has recruited former national defence minister Harjit Sajjan to help the province secure some of the billions the federal government will spend to boost its military commitment.
VICTORIA -- The British Columbia government has tabled what it says is the first law in Canada to recover health care costs from companies that use "deceptive practices" to sell vaping products.
Premier David Eby says a pipeline plan across northern B.C. by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith threatens community support and social license that would allow other major projects along the provincial coast to move forward. Smith's proposal for an oil pipeline to B.C.'s north coast would require Ottawa to scrap a tanker ban in the region, and Eby says such a...
VICTORIA -- Premier David Eby says a pipeline plan across northern B.C. by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith threatens community support and social license that would allow other major projects along the provincial coast to move forward.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's Energy Minister Adrian Dix has dismissed the latest push by Alberta's premier for an oil pipeline to the West Coast, saying the "definition of being Canadian isn't to agree with everything Danielle Smith says."
VICTORIA -- Thousands of union members representing different sectors filled the lawn outside the British Columbia legislature as politicians inside began the fall session.
VICTORIA -- The provincial legislature resumes sitting today with four official parties, two independents, and the expectation of searing political debate.
VICTORIA -- British Columbia house leader Mike Farnworth says the NDP government plans to pass 18 bills in the fall session of the legislature by the time it ends in late November.